Christmas in Carmarthenshire

Love a local Christmas

Carmarthenshire is a foodie heaven, our butchers are second to none, local meats and personal service combine to guarantee the best festive foods.

For a truly genuine local experience, why not visit our markets? Both Carmarthen Market whilst Llanelli Market have an exciting mix of local treats.

Carmarthenshire is a foodie heaven, with exceptional local produce, traditional butchers and independent traders helping to make Christmas extra special. Browse stalls filled with quality local meats, fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, artisan cheeses and festive treats, alongside a tempting selection of locally produced food and drink, perfect for thoughtful gifts and festive hampers.

Shopping ideas & tasty treats

For that extra special Christmas treat visit Wrights Food Emporium at Llanarthne or Parc y Bocs, Kidwelly. Both perfect places to buy those locally produced foods you can’t do without at Christmas.

Caws Cenarth make a cheese in the shape of a Christmas pudding and Heavenly in Llandeilo have it all when it comes to chocolate, from Santas and snowmen to massive Christmas trees, you’re bound to be tempted!

Don't miss the renowned Carmarthen Ham from Albert Rees, a local delicacy made to a traditional recipe said to date back to Roman times.

Check out our larder trails for more inspiration.

Hamper ideas

Food hampers can make perfect Christmas presents - how about a luxurious selection from The Ferryman in Laugharne or Blasus Deli in Carmarthen? Further north, there's La Patisserie in Llandovery or Pitch Fork and Provision in Llandeilo and Inn at the Sticks in Llansteffan.

Why not buy yourself a mini food hamper and enjoy a Winter picnic? There are plenty of stunning locations to enjoy.

Christmas markets

If you’re out and about enjoying festive events or doing some Christmas shopping, don’t forget to pop into our indoor markets. Carmarthen and Llanelli have fantastic indoor markets, which sell everything from arts and crafts, to local food and drink. There are also weekly outdoor markets in Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli.

Winter Walks: beaches, mountains & rivers

Carmarthenshire has hundreds of miles of footpaths, taking you into the wonderful countryside, from mountains to fertile river valleys and also miles of coastal walks including the Wales Coast Path. Some of our favourite walks are the Dylan Thomas Walk in Laugharne, Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli, the RSPB Reserve at Gwenffrwd Dinas and the vast forests of Brechfa and Cil-y-cwm.

Go sledging if there’s snow or skiing if there’s not!

If it snows Carmarthenshire has some great sledging spots. If the snow doesn’t come then why not try skiing at Pembrey Country Park’s fantastic dry ski slope. 

The Ski Slope at Pembrey Country Park is one of the only remaining dry ski slopes in Wales. If you are an experienced skier or a beginner there is something to suit everyone. Alongside skiing and snowboarding lessons, visitors can enjoy the popular tubing slope, offering a thrilling downhill ride without the need for skis.

Have yourself an Actif little Christmas

There's more to enjoy at Actif this Christmas! Alongside Free Swimming for Under-16s, discover a packed programme of activities, with plenty of opportunities for children and families to get active, have fun and make the most of the festive season at our leisure centres across Carmarthenshire.

On yer bike!!

New wheels from Father Christmas? Wrap up warm and enjoy a family day out on one of Carmarthenshire’s traffic-free cycling routes. Follow the stunning Millennium Coastal Path, with beautiful sea views and plenty of opportunities to stop for a warming hot drink, sweet treat or tasty bite to eat along the way.

Or explore the peaceful Tywi Valley Path and Amman Valley Riverside path, where easy-going routes, scenic countryside and welcoming cafés make for a perfect winter adventure. Whether you're looking for a gentle family ride or a chance to blow away the cobwebs after Christmas, Carmarthenshire has a route to suit all

Meet a real-life reindeer

Experience a touch of winter magic at Dinefwr Park and Castle, near Llandeilo, where a large herd of fallow deer roams the historic parkland. Bundle up for a seasonal walk through the estate and afterwards, warm up with tea and homemade cake at Newton House or head into nearby Llandeilo, where you'll find an excellent choice of cosy cafés, restaurants and independent shops, making it the perfect winter day out.

Visit Santa

Hop aboard the Gwili Railway for a magical festive train journey through the Carmarthenshire countryside. With twinkling lights, seasonal entertainment and special visits from Santa, it's a Christmas experience the whole family will enjoy. For even more festive fun, take a ride on the Mynydd Mawr Railway, or enjoy a truly unique festive experience at the British Bird of Prey Centre, where you can meet Santa, enjoy a Christmas flying display and get up close to magnificent owls and birds of prey.

Choose your Christmas tree

Cowpots Christmas Trees will be open every day from Saturday 28 November with a selection of pre-cut trees. Or take the family out to choose your perfect tree and enjoy a hot drink and pizza whilst it’s being cut and wrapped. The pizzeria will be open weekends from 12 noon starting Saturday 28 November.

After Christmas is over why not take your real Christmas tree to be recycled at one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres in Nantycaws, Carmarthen; Trostre, Llanelli, Wernddu, Ammanford and Whitland and collect a free bag of compost with every recycled Christmas tree.

Go to the Panto

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a visit to the panto? There are lots to choose from this Christmas. See Carmarthenshire theatres.

Want to try something completely different?

Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran are holding their annual Christmas Party Race Day on 17 December, with just a week to go until the big day, take a break from your Christmas preparations and enjoy a day at the races at Ffos Las.

Where it all began...

Attending a Plygain service from 3am-6am on Christmas morning was once a key festive tradition in 19th century rural Wales. So, Christmas morning why not attend a Plygain Church Service, both traditional and festive, it’s a great way to while away one of the most atmospheric mornings of the year.

In the Amman Valley the Plygain service is held in a 17 century Chapel called Hen Fethel on the mountain near Garnant. Hundreds of locals attend the candlelit service where you sing carols and listen to others perform songs or poetry. To attend park at Garnant Bowls Club car park and walk the 2 kilometres to the chapel for the service at 06.30am. Remember to take a torch to light your way.

There are also a number of other Christmas Morning services across Carmarthenshire, get in touch with your local place of worship for details.

Mari Lwyd

The Mari Lwyd (the Grey Mare) is a pre-Christian tradition said to bring good luck. A horses's skull would be decorated with bells and ribbons and draped in a white sheet before being placed on top of a wooden pole. 

The Mari Lwyd Custom is still practised in some areas around Wales. A group of children and adults go from house to house or pub singing or reciting poetry on New Year’s Eve, carrying the Mari Lwyd. A visit from the Mari Lwyd brings luck for the coming year. Be sure to invite them in and provide a gift of money or food and drink (drink tends to be appreciated by the adults!

Calennig

In Wales from when the clock strikes midnight ushering in the New Year or "Blwyddyn Newydd" groups of children and adults tour local houses and pubs singing, in return for small gifts of money or seasonal treats. The dark haired lads are invited to walk through the house, bringing with them good luck for the New Year. If you hear them, let them in and reward them, to bring good luck during the new year!

They sing:

"Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi,

ac i bawb sydd yn y tŷ,

dyma yw’n dymuniad ni,

canu Blwyddyn Newydd Dda,

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda chi,

y flwyddyn orau, fu erioed,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

canu blwyddyn newydd dda"

Then they shout "Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!"

Festive Wreaths

What better way to prepare for Christmas than by making your own natural Christmas decorations? There are plenty of places to give it a go.

Enjoy a festive few hours in Llety Cynin to create your very own beautiful Christmas wreath surrounded by aromas of pines and evergreen. All natural materials provided and included in the price along with a glass of mulled wine & mince pie.

On 28 November enjoy a Christmas wreath floristry workshop at Aberglasney or how about a festive table arranging workshop at Botanic Garden on 21 December.

Get creative at the National Wool Museum on 12 December and make your own felted Christmas decoration to take home.

Make a Christmas gift

Every year it gets more difficult to find that perfect gift! Why not try and make one? Siramik near Carmarthen offer great pottery courses where you can learn to make that unique ceramic gift, while Aeron Petersen at Ferric Fusion and Will Holland at Phoenix Forge offer great blacksmithing courses, go ahead try them, surprise your loved ones with the most unique and personal gift there is!

Crafty kids

On Saturdays during November and December, why not visit one of Carmarthenshire libraries and join them for a 3D Printing experience! Bring your creative side to life, from design to concept, and print!

More on what's on

Take a look and see what else is on within the festive season of the year. 

Start the countdown to the Festive Season

Start the countdown.....it is almost time for Christmas Lights to start brightening the winter skies around Carmarthenshire. Seeing the lights being switched on is a magical part of Christmas and really gets everyone in the Festive mood.

Llanelli Christmas Lights Switch On and Carnival is the biggest celebration in Carmarthenshire and thousands come out to line the streets to watch the Christmas parade and fireworks that signal the start of Christmas. Join in the fun on Friday 20 November.

Carmarthen town and St. Catherine’s walk lights switch on takes place on Saturday 21 November.

Burry Port, Ammanford and Llandovery Christmas Light Switch On's take place on 27 November.

Magical festive trail at Pembrey Country Park

Pembrey Country Park's Magical Light Trail is making a grand return, and best of all, it's absolutely FREE to attend (event parking fee applies), so gather your loved ones and join us for a magical experience at the mesmerizing woodlands of Pembrey.

Get ready for the incredible surprise of meeting Father Christmas in his cosy woodland cabin! Theres also a Breakfast with Santa too! And you can also enjoy the thrill of Tubing by Night on the slopes. Booking and fee applies for all three.

Be sure to bring your festive spirit and a camera! Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Shopping - gift ideas

This year's Dinefwr Christmas Fair (20-22 November) offers an abundance of exhibitors, local food and crafts set against the beautiful backdrop of Dinefwr in winter.

Christmas in Carmarthenshire is a shopper's dream with special events offering the opportunity to find something different, you are bound to find that great stocking filler.

Get into the festive spirit as you browse the quality stalls from independent artists and craft makers in the Carmarthenshire Markets Christmas Pop Ups taking place in Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli town centres throughout December.

Aberglasney’s Winter Fair will return on the 4-6 December. Visitors will find an abundance of handpicked exhibitors who are artists, makers, crafters and designers. Spend a day finding unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware.

More Christmas Events

You can find more Christmas events and festive fun on our What's On Pages.